5 tips for a sustainable city break in Berlin
September 22, 2023
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Berlin is a surprising destination for a city break. There is an awful lot to see and do in Berlin. It is a city full of culture and is rich in history. There are therefore many significant monuments and sights to visit. But in addition, you will find plenty of alternative neighborhoods with colorful street art, hip coffee shops and a vibrant art scene with museums and galleries. Berlin is therefore considered a gathering place for creative excesses, alternative lifestyles and expressions of freedom. A nice mix of culture, extraordinary history and contemporary Berlin life. We share 15 fun and impressive things to do in Berlin.Â
1. Visit the Brandenburg Gate
One of Berlin's most famous landmarks is the Brandenburg Gate on Pariser Platz. An important monument to reunified Berlin after the fall of the Wall. It is also Berlin's only old city gate still standing. Built in 1788, the Brandenburg Gate, like 19 other city gates, served as an entrance to the center of Berlin. When construction of the Berlin Wall began in 1961, the Brandenburg Gate was built in. After the fall of the Berlin Wall, the gate was reopened by thousands of happy residents. An important moment in history and hence the Brandenburg Gate is a symbol of reunification; aka the Deutsche Einheit.
2. Go to the East Side Gallery and immerse yourself in Berlin's history
The Berlin Wall is familiar to almost everyone. We all got the stories about the Berlin Wall through history lessons or from the many movies made about it. But what is the story behind the colorful street art you can admire today on part of the Berlin Wall?Â
In 1961, the Berlin Wall was built by the GDR so that the inhabitants of West and East Berlin were separated. Because of the 160-kilometer wall, West Berlin, where the French, British and Americans were located, was surrounded by the GDR where the Russians held out. A violent period in which families were separated and the country was divided.Â
After the fall of the wall on November 9, 1989 the wall was largely demolished. At some points, nevertheless, you can still visit parts of the wall. The most famous (and still longest) section is the one near the East Side Gallery.
Along the 1.3 kilometers long wall you can admire the graffiti and painting arts. In 1990, a total of 118 artists from 21 countries came to Berlin to create their vision of freedom on the wall. Most paintings are an expression of the joy surrounding the end of the Cold War, but you will also find various political statements.Â
Seeing the Berlin Wall was a special experience for us. It is a monument that evokes different emotions. A charged feeling, but also joy. You feel the cry for freedom. One thing is certain: the remains of the Berlin Wall must be seen during a city trip to Berlin.   Â
3. Discover the nightlife in BerlinÂ
Berlin is known for its vibrant nightlife. Many people choose a city break to Berlin for this reason. Not surprisingly, because the nightlife in Berlin is one of the most extensive in Europe. Making a choice between the many clubs can therefore be quite difficult. What struck us and is generally known is that most clubs have techno as their music genre. The best-known techno clubs are Berghain, Tresor, Kater Blau and Watergate. However, keep in mind that there are long wait times and that you will not always be let in.Â
Are you looking more for a nice bar? Then take a look at Oranienburger Straße in the Mitte district and Simon Dach Straße and Bergmannstraße in Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg. You will find several bars here so there must be a suitable one for you. These two neighborhoods are the best places to go out in Berlin.Â
A fun fact: Berlin's nightlife is inextricably linked to the "späti's. Späti's are night stores that sell beer, candy and other foods, among other things. It is the easiest and cheapest place for alcohol-to-go at night. As such, around Berlin's späti's are buzzing with people going out and sometimes they even have outdoor seating areas where you can take a seat to drink a German beer.Â
4. Stroll the Museumsinsel and see the Berliner DomÂ
The Museumsinsel is the northern part of the Spree Island in the Spree River and literally translates as the "museum island. As such, you will find several beautiful museums and monuments here. We found the real attraction to be the Berliner Dom. Even though it was partly in scaffolding during our visit, it is still a picture to see! It is also a nice place to take a break in the summer, because there is a nice little park where you can sit for a while.Â
Do you love taking pictures? Then it is also advisable to walk into the subway station of Museumsinsel. From hearsay you can get a very photogenic picture inside here.Â
5. Visit the Humboldt Forum
Also highly recommended in Museumsinsel is the fairly new museum Humboldt Forum. The Humboldt Forum is anything but a boring museum. It is housed in Berlin's 15th century palace, where past and present meet. For example, art from different parts of the world is on display and you will learn more about Berlin's eventful history.
There are also a number of interesting exhibitions in the Humboldt Forum, such as BERLIN GLOBAL. On 4,000 square meters, it shows in an educational and interactive way how events in Berlin are connected to the world and vice versa. As you walk through the space, various (political) propositions are presented to you. It certainly makes you think.Â
6. Visit the Holocaust memorial Â
The Holocaust Memorial is perhaps one of Berlin's most impressive monuments. It is a monument commemorating the persecution of Jews during World War II. It consists of a field of concrete blocks symbolizing the experiences of the Jewish population during the Nazi regime. According to architect Peter Eisenman, the field of undulating blocks evokes a sense of disorientation and isolation. As we walked through the concrete blocks, we certainly felt an oppressive feeling as well. The monument reflects very well the feeling of being unable to find a way out.Â
Below the field with the blocks is an exhibition area. You can visit this one for free. This exhibition is well worth seeing.Â
7. Go to the international gardens of Gärten der WeltÂ
Outside the center of Berlin you will find Gärten der Welt, in Dutch "the gardens of the world. In the park (the size of 60 soccer fields) you will find different gardens in international themes. For example, there are Italian, Chinese and British gardens. In the Gärten der Welt you can easily walk around for half a day, because there is so much to see. Besides the beautifully landscaped gardens and sculptures, you will also find several cozy terraces and a viewpoint.Â
But the biggest draw of Gärten der Welt? That's the cable car. The cable car is 1.5 kilometers long and on a ride you will have an insane view of the entire park. If you go to Gärten der Welt goes, so we definitely recommend buying tickets that include the cable car.Â
8. Stroll through the creative Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg district
The raw character that Berlin as a city is known for? For that, you have to be in the Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg district. Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg are located in the middle of Berlin, on both sides of the Spree River. Remarkably, Kreuzberg was in what was then West Berlin and Friedrichshain was in what was then East Berlin. The districts were merged in 2001. Today, this district is the creative heart of Berlin. As such, it is a fun neighborhood to wander through, especially if you are a fan of street art.Â
Also read: Berlin's nicest neighborhoods
Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg is without a doubt one of Berlin's nicest neighborhoods. Curious about the others? We share the best places in Berlin to stay and discover.
9. Take a (Vegan) Food Tour of Berlin.
Did you know that Berlin is called the vegetarian capital of Europe? In fact, the city is bursting with trendy vegetarian and vegan hotspots. A fun way to get to know Berlin's gastronomy is by taking a Food Tour through the city. We did the Vegan Food Tour of Fork & Walk Tours Berlin.Â
What's really nice about this tour is that we actually didn't seek out the restaurants crowded by tourists, but rather the places where locals like to go. Besides learning more about the Vegan Food Culture in Berlin, it was also a fun way to explore the city. For example, we walked through the Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg neighborhood. In addition to Vegan tours, Fork & Walk also offers other tours.Â
10. View Haus SchwarzenbergÂ
Close to Hackescher Markt, a large square with many restaurants and stores, you will find Haus Schwarzenberg. Haus Schwarzenberg is a small and special street where you can find more than just street art. Be careful if you are going to visit Haus Schwarzenberg. In fact, you can easily walk past the "entrance" to Haus Schwarzenberg! Are you aware of Café Cinema? Then you're in the right place.
When you catch first impressions through the passageway, you find yourself in another world. In this amazing hotspot of Berlin street art, you are surrounded by art, unique sculptures, courtyards, studios, offices, museums and, of course, spots for a tasty German beer. Take your time to study the street art, as you will see new, admirable drawings all the time. Â
11. Behold a game of Berlin soccer club Union Berlin
Do you love soccer? Then watch a Union Berlin game! Today, Union plays in the Bundesliga. Union Berlin plays its home matches in the Stadion An der alten Försterei, also called the Alte Försterei. Every home game the stadium is packed. The atmosphere during the matches is very nice to experience. A unique experience for soccer fans.Â
12. Enjoy culinary delights at Cookies CreamÂ
A special night out in Berlin? Then we recommend the restaurant Cookies Cream to. This Michelin-starred restaurant is completely vegetarian and vegan and is a true household name in Berlin. We had a wonderful evening during our visit to Cookies Cream. We recommend the restaurant to everyone, including the non-vegetarians and vegans among us. Indeed, the dishes are a true taste explosion. You can also choose a matching wine package. A successful evening is guaranteed!Â
13. Take a canoe trip down the Spree
An incredibly fun way to discover Berlin is by canoeing down the Spree River. The Spree River flows through the city and passes the main sights of Berlin. So you really view them from a different, surprising angle.
But what we also discovered during the canoe trip is how green Berlin actually is! Berlin is one of the greenest and most sprawling cities in Europe. A large part of the city consists of parks, gardens and forests as well as lakes, rivers and canals. More than enough room for relaxation, such as a nice canoe trip!Â
We did our canoe trip with the organization Kanuliebe. Not only did we rent the canoes here, but we were also accompanied by a guide. We definitely recommend this, because our guide told an awful lot of fun facts and trivia about Berlin.Â
14. Take a walk along the Spree
With nice weather, we also recommend taking a walk along the Spree River. Nice thing is that they have built special footpaths along the Spree. You will pass several nice viewpoints over the water and on the sights, such as the view of the TV tower the Fernsehturm. Also very nice to do when it starts to dusk at night. The buildings are then beautifully illuminated.Â
15. Go to the GendarmenmarktÂ
The Gendarmenmarkt is one of Berlin's most famous squares and is located in the Mitte district. It was created at the end of the 17th century as the market square of the village of Friedrichstadt. This village was then a suburb of Berlin.Â
The square is characterized by two identical-looking churches on either side of the square. These churches, the Französischer Dom and the Deutscher Dom, are therefore the attractions of the Gendarmenmarkt. In addition to the beautiful churches, you will also find the Konzerthaus Berlin concert hall and a number of cozy restaurants. Especially in summer it is a nice place to linger on one of the sunny terraces.Â
General tips for a Berlin city break
Good preparation is half the battle. So we would like to give you some tips for a carefree city trip to Berlin. Be sure to take a look at the website of Visit Berlin for helpful tips and inspiration for visiting Berlin.Â
What is the best way to travel to Berlin?Â
There are several ways to travel to Berlin. The city is about 700 kilometers from the Netherlands (depending on your point of departure, of course). By car, it is therefore about an 8-hour drive to Berlin.Â
Another option is by plane. There are daily flights from Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Eindhoven to Berlin Brandenburg Airport. For the best deals, check out the comparison website Skyscanner keep an eye on.Â
If you ask us, however, the best option is to travel to Berlin by night train. Not only is it the most sustainable way, but it is also a very pleasant way to travel. We took the European Sleeper from Rotterdam to Berlin and were in the heart of the city in just under 10 hours. The European Sleeper leaves late at night and you arrive in the morning. And the best part is: there are beds on the train. So if you are an easy sleeper you can sleep for much of the train ride.Â
If your budget allows, we do recommend booking the Sleepers class (similar to first class) instead of the Couchettes (second class). The Sleepers class is a lot more luxurious, with real mattresses, more space and its own sink. You can compare prices on the website of European Sleeper.Â
Where is the best place to stay in Berlin?
Berlin is an incredibly large city. Therefore, with so many trendy places and addresses, it can be difficult to find the right accommodation. So we have made a list of the nicest neighborhoods to stay in Berlin. Want to know more about these neighborhoods? Read our article in which we the best places in Berlin tipping.Â
Take advantage of public transportation in Berlin
Public transportation in Berlin is very well organized. It is therefore a convenient way to get around a city. You have an extensive network of bus, train, subway and streetcar lines in Berlin, among others. Depending on how long you are in Berlin and how often you want to use public transportation, buying a multi-day card may be the best and most economical option. We were in Berlin for 4 days and therefore used the Berlin WelcomeCard. With this card you can make unlimited use of public transportation. You also get several nice discounts on such things as museums.Â
Planning your route by public transportation can be done through the BVG, but also via Google Maps. Do keep in mind the zones in which you will be traveling. In fact, Berlin's public transportation network consists of three zones.
- Zone A:Â the city center (the neighborhoods of Mitte, Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg, Charlottenburg and Prenzlauer Berg);
- Zone B:Â Berlin's suburbs;
- Zone C:Â neighboring villages such as Potsdam, Oranienburg and Berlin Brandenburg Airport.Â
Naomi van Hagen
Curious, creative and passionate about travel, I’m always on the lookout for unique destinations where culture, gastronomy and adventure come together. As a travel blogger, I share personal stories and insider tips from countries like Brazil, Greece, Indonesia, Thailand and Peru, from hidden gems and rich traditions to unforgettable culinary experiences. My blogs are based on real travel experiences and in-depth local knowledge. Ready to plan your own adventure? As a personal travel consultant, I’ll help you create a tailor-made trip that perfectly suits your travel dreams.
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